SBJ awards top honors to five organizations at Economic Impact Awards

Five organizations won top honors last night at Springfield Business Journal's annual Economic Impact Awards, which additionally recognized entrepreneur and philanthropist Doug Pitt with the Lifetime Achievement in Business award.

SBJ recognized organizations for years in business during the event at Oasis Hotel & Convention Center. The Economic Impact Awards ceremony and special publication spotlights excellence in business, including employee and revenue volumes and impact on the community, with honorees and top honors chosen by an independent panel of judges.

Top honors went to the following:
• Buf Architecture Studio LLC for 1-10 years in business
• The Drew Lewis Foundation Inc. for 11-20 years in business
• Toth and Associates Inc. for 21-35 years in business
• Citizens Memorial Hospital for 36-74 years in business
• College of the Ozarks for 75+ years in business

Finalists were Keep Supply and Next Level Solutions for 1-10 years in business; Arvest Bank and The Bank of Missouri for 11-20 years in business; Jordan Valley Community Health Center and Little Sunshine's Playhouse and Preschool for 21-35 years in business; Empower: abilities and Victory Mission and Ministry for 36-74 years in business; and Ollis/Akers/Arney for 75+ years in business.

Receiving the top honor of the night was Pitt, who co-owns managed service provider Pitt Technology Group LLC and leads real estate investment firm Pitt Development Group LLC. He also is the founder of nonprofit Care to Learn.

In his acceptance speech, Pitt, 58, recalled his career highlights but noted he's not yet done with his work.

"This award, it's not a period at the end of a sentence, a comma – it's not even a semicolon. I am still here; I want more," he said. "I promise you, I am just getting started. I am super excited to see what's next."

Read more about the honorees in SBJ's July 21 print edition.